Archive for May, 2010

Heading South for the summer

So, I left Dundreggan on the morning of the 25th, and made it back last evening (28th).  I’d been in Scotland since the end of January, my longest ever stint up there.  And, as much as I’m really looking forward to spending some time with the family, and activities in the sun, and meeting up with folk I’ve not see in a while, etc; I had this urge to stay North of the border, the closer it got.

The trip was great, all apart from the sizeable jams in Bristol (BH weekend, and half term, I’m a bit out of touch, I had no idea).  And on the way I was able to stop by John’s to gee him up for his forthcoming Focaliser training.  I have the privilege of Focalising with him on his first F week in the Autumn.  Something I’m really looking forward to.  Anyway, here are some photos from the trip…

29 May, 2010 | Categories: Travels | Leave a comment

Last stop at Dundreggan before heading South

After the weekend at Achnashellach, I had one last stop to make before starting my journey South for the summer.  The weather was fine, Steve was out working in the garden, there was some IT stuff to do, and Russell and Stephanie made supper.  Great stuff.  I stayed for the night before seeing the wild boar fed in the morning.  The boar seemed in relaxed mood so Steve took myself, Russell and Steph for a walk in the enclosure, where we spotted a wild boar ‘nest’, a dragonfly, and some signs of regeneration…

29 May, 2010 | Categories: TFL | Leave a comment

Planting at Achnashellach and some time in the TFL Findhorn office.

Following my two work weeks at Plodda I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hang around the Trees for Life Findhorn office for a week, under the guise of an IT professional.  My work was mostly based around upgrading slower MACs, ensuring machines were being backup up and specifying and ordering any other required IT kit.  This was the last chance to see the TFL staff at Findhorn for the spring season, and I was treated to a beautiful walk in the dunes, a large slice of carrot cake, and a bbq party round at Mick’s (thanks Mick).

However, (possibly) the best part of my season was yet to come. On the Friday (21st) I had to leave Mick’s bbq reasonably early to head over to Achnashellach.  There were still some unplanted trees left over from the season’s work weeks, and I’d agreed, with Colin, to have a go at getting some of them in.  Armed with a spade, a couple of planting bags, and an FCS key, I drove to Craig, crossed the railway crossing, and was into the wild.

My illusions (delusions) of being into the wild were shattered at 7.30 the next morning when the slow trickle of walkers started to make their way into the hills, up the track past my sleepy camper.  So, I dropped the roof, picked up some trees and got on with the business of increasing the population of Scots Pine on the hillside.

Amidst reports of some kind of heat wave across the rest of the UK, the weather gods were kind enough to leave Achnashellach overcast, with some fine rain at times, much to my relief, as carrying hundreds of trees up a hillside covered in 3ft high heather is warm work.  At the end of each day the weather would brighten a little and I would stand at the top of my hill and survey the Glen.  To the West were a series of majestic craggy mountains, to the East a large rolling Glen.  Near me there was a burn running down the hill with a number of native trees alongside it; a sign of how large parts of the hill should look in just a few years time.  In amongst the trees were Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blackbird, Thrush, etc…

29 May, 2010 | Categories: TFL, Work | Leave a comment

(Not just) Another TFL work week at Plodda, 8th to 15th May

Sometimes life throws up opportunities that just can’t be missed.  Whilst on my work week with Gordon (see previous entries), I received a call from the office explaining that they needed someone to stand in for one of the Focalisers on the following week at Plodda.  I wouldn’t normally work two weeks in a row, not only are the weeks physically demanding, but they can be emotionally so too.  However, in this case I would be working with Howard, who I trained with, and I would be back at Plodda for another week, a place I love being around.

Thanks to Howard’s energy and the enthusiasm of the group, I was carried through my more tired moments, and by the end of the week I was extremely disappointed to say goodbye to a fantastic group of people and our well formed community.

During the week we planted roughly 4000 trees in Glen Cannich.  We also spent one day in the tree nursery at Plodda under Jill’s guidance, transplanting trees, digging out and adding compost to beds, and potting out Aspen root cuttings.

There was amazing food (including a multiple course curry, and veggie burgers on another night), and another opportunity to get up to Loch An Eang, this time with Howard and Charlotte, on our day off.  Here are some photos, a link to more will follow…

Ok, link is now here.

28 May, 2010 | Categories: TFL | Leave a comment

More photos, taken with a real camera, (not my phone!) from the ww 1st to 8th May

The first of these pics were taken on the day off, the rest later in the week.

Here is a link to more photos, not published on the blog

27 May, 2010 | Categories: TFL | Leave a comment

A TFL work week at Plodda, 1st to 8th May.

So May has been a bit hectic, and I’ve a bit of catching up to do on here.  It all started with only my second work week of 2010.  This one was in a tried and tested Focalising combo with the legendary Gordon.  We were staying at Plodda and planting in Glen Cannich, with a couple of non-native weeding days at Glen Cougie.

Both sites offer incredible views of the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, and some excellent examples of ‘granny’ Scots Pine trees, and I found the drive to work each day incredibly inspiring.  There was a significant amount of birch regeneration on the way to Glen Cannich, and it looked like this could be happening in some parts of Glen Cougie too.  In Glen Cannich we planted just over 2000 trees, and in Glen Cougie we cleared a substantial area of non-native tree species (Spruce & Lodge Pole Pine).

This work was all thanks to 7 wonderful volunteers, some good weather and great food.  I also had an amazing walk to Loch An Eang (with Gordon and Alan) on our day off.

Here are some photos.  More will follow when I’ve an improved internet connection.

Here is a link to more photos, not published on the blog.

27 May, 2010 | Categories: TFL | Leave a comment